Last year, The Northern Echo launched its "Price of a Punch" campaign, calling for tougher sentences for one-punch killers, after 21-year-old soldier Andrew Gibson was killed during a night out in Darlington.

His 17-year-old attacker was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Since then, it has been our sad duty to report the one-punch killing of 17-year-old Daniel Crowther outside a pizza shop in Stokesley. The 17-year-old who punched Daniel was locked up for three years.

Tomorrow, our front page is devoted to another one-punch tragedy. Anthony Hancock, 42, died in April after being attacked outside The Beehive pub in Bishop Auckland. Today, his killer, Lee Ballan, has been jailed for three years.

There is, of course, a difference between pre-meditated murder and a death resulting from a single act of violence where there was not an intention to kill.

But too many lives are being lost as a result of reckless violence and the punishment does not match the devastation caused.

There must be a stronger message that a single punch can kill. Those prepared to take that chance must expect tougher punishment than a few years behind bars for manslaughter.

It is time for changes to the law so judges can deliver sentences which better fit the enormity of the crime.